Rarstarr: I'm posting this for a friend. Please aim all C&C at 
<sburton@ihug.co.nz>. I know he'll appreciate it.

--------

First: the legal stuff.  Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha are responsible for the 
original creation; and DIC and the Original Series for the sounds I hear when 
I'm writing.  The other stuff is mine; please ask me before taking this and 
putting it on a website, archive, or other place.  (sburton@ihug.co.nz)
 
Second: the setting.  DIC universe, between NA eps. 20 ("A Friend in Wolf's 
Clothing")and 21 ("Jupiter Comes Thundering In").  For the purist, it also 
goes after JP ep. 24.
 
Acknowledgements will follow after the final chapter.  

Love and War - Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon

Chapter 1 

The throne room of Queen Beryl, ruler of the Negaverse, was a place few went 
unless expressly commanded by the dread Queen herself.

Kyanite had received such an order.

Despite the oppressive feel of the room, Kyanite managed to stand tall, his 
double-breasted, field-grey uniform crease-less, and the platinum piping 
without a flaw.  The claw-shaped silver epaulets on his shoulders caught what 
little light was present in the dark chamber.  The figure of the third 
Negaverse general cut an impressive shadow, something that Kyanite himself 
was aware of.

"Kyanite, you have been summoned here to fulfil a task that others have been 
unable to complete."  Queen Beryl's voice startled him from his semi-
trancelike state.  The sheer emptiness of the throne room amplified her 
commanding tone many times, and the merest whisper boomed loud in his ears.  
Queen Beryl continued.  "Unfortunately, we have lost two generals in our 
search for energy.  Both Jedite and Neflyte were unable to fulfil the task 
that I set before them."  The Queen's eyes narrowed to icy slits.  "I am 
entrusting you with this great mission, and am hereby making you my new 
commander."

Kyanite smiled inwardly.  This was the moment he had been waiting for.  He 
shot a smug glance over his shoulder at the room's other inhabitant, Zoycite, 
another Negaverse general.  'That should be a blow to your over-inflated ego, 
you little bitch.'  Kyanite thought.  Zoycite had arrogantly assumed that, 
because she had personally overseen the execution of the traitorous general 
Neflyte, she would be next in line for promotion to Commander of Queen 
Beryl's Forces.  Unfortunately for her, Kyanite had beaten her to it.  His 
skill at the art of persuasion had robbed Zoycite of her glory - a few lies 
here, a few doubts there...

'...and a big promotion here.'  Kyanite mused to himself.  'After all,' he 
continued 'Zoycite is obviously far too involved with Malachite to possibly 
concentrate on the task at hand.'  He could see the rage building inside the 
female general, and feel imaginary daggers burrowing from her eyes into his 
skull as he turned back to his Queen, and that made his inward smile all the 
more broad.

"Thank you, Queen Beryl."  Kyanite accompanied this statement with a bow.  "I 
shall not fail you as did my predecessors."  Kyanite's voice boomed out 
almost as loudly as his Queen's.  He was always one to admire his own voice, 
the way he could fashion words so eloquently, his ability to curl his 
educated tone around every syllable.  However, Queen Beryl's throne room was 
not the place for idle chit-chat.

"So you say.  What grandiose schemes have you concocted to collect energy for 
the Negaforce?"  replied Zoycite, not trying to hide the sarcasm and malice 
in her voice.  "If both Jedite and Neflyte failed to complete this mission, 
what makes you think you can?"

Kyanite was ready for this.  He knew how Zoycite enjoyed toying with those in 
his position, trying to make him doubt his own ability enough to cause a 
fatal mistake...

He was not going to be shown up.  Ignoring Zoycite completely, he addressed 
the Queen.  "My Queen, both Jedite and Neflyte's individual plans to gather 
the energy of humans failed abysmally.  However, there were parts of both of 
their plans that had merit.  Therefore, I..."
Zoycite interrupted Kyanite with a round of mock applause.  "Oh bravo, such 
an excellent scheme.  Couldn't have done better myself.  So, let me get this 
straight.  Your plan is to take the methods of a complete failure, who is now 
an ice block; and a traitor, who is now so much dust; and stitch them 
together into a scheme of your own?  Is that it, Kyanite?"  Zoycite laughed, 
a shrill, staccato sound that made his skin crawl.  Kyanite could not hold 
back any longer.  "My plans will succeed Zoycite."  He said with forced calm. 
He lowered his voice to a barely audible whisper.  "Which is why I am 
commander, and you are not."  He glanced back over at Zoycite, and a smirk 
played across his features.  "And anyway, shouldn't you and your lover boy 
Malachite be worrying about your own unsuccessful attempts to retrieve the 
Imperium Silver Crystal?  Or have you two had a little tiff?" 

That was the last straw for Zoycite, and Kyanite knew it.  The female general 
exploded into a rage.  "How DARE you!?" she screamed "You WILL fail, Kyanite; 
and I will be there when you do to personally wipe that smirk off your face!"  
With that, petal shaped motes curled around her body, and she disappeared.  
Kyanite turned back to face Queen Beryl, a triumphant smile on his face, 
however, as soon as he saw that his Queen was not amused by what had 
happened, the smile was gone.  "Continue, Kyanite."

"As I was saying, my Queen, Jedite's and Neflyte's plans did have elements of 
merit in them.  I plan to combine aspects of both their methods to collect 
energy for the Negaforce.  My research into human nature, and close 
observation of Jedite's failed schemes has told me that the humans spend the 
greatest amount of their energy on the emotion they call love."

"I know of this 'love' Kyanite, Jedite had tried to harness its power before.  
Although it does provide a great deal of energy, it was little in comparison 
to the power that the traitor Neflyte provided with his methodology."

Kyanite straightened himself up even more and continued.  "This is where 
Neflyte's plan comes into play, my Queen.  Imagine the limitless amounts of 
energy we could collect if we waited for those humans' love energy to reach 
it's maximum potential?  I have already dispatched my youma to keep a close 
eye on those humans in love.  All we have to do is wait until their energy is 
at its maximum and then, strike!"  He clenched his hand into a fist to 
emphasise the word.  Queen Beryl refused to let him off so lightly.  "And 
what of the Sailor Scouts?  Surely you haven't forgotten them?"  

This was the master stroke of Kyanite's plan.  He gestured, and a large globe 
shimmered into existence.  The blue and green surface of the sphere forming 
into the rivers, oceans, lakes, and land masses that covered the surface of 
the Earth.  "My Queen," Kyanite said, pointing to a location on the globe, 
"my predecessors made one fatal error.  They concentrated their searches for 
energy here, in Japan.  It is my belief that the Sailor Scouts are unable to 
move vast distances under their own power."  Kyanite gestured again, and 
dozens of flashing red dots appeared on each country.  "Therefore, all we 
have to do is strike in one country, gather the energy of the humans there, 
and if the Sailor Scouts show up, we move on.  That way, we will always stay 
one step ahead of them, and it will take them a considerable amount of time 
to find out where we are, much less find a way of getting there."

Queen Beryl's eyes fixed on Kyanite, the amber pupils burrowing into his 
soul.  She considered Kyanite's proposal.  This plan did indeed have a 
considerable amount of merit, and if it worked, the Negaforce would be 
released far ahead of schedule.  "Very well then, Kyanite.  You may proceed 
with your plan.  If you succeed, the rewards will be beyond your wildest 
dreams.  If you fail..." Beryl's eyes narrowed and began to glow an unearthly 
hue, "the punishment will be worse than your darkest nightmares."

Images of Jedite's fate flashed into Kyanite's mind, causing an involuntary 
shudder.  Quickly regaining his composure, he bowed before his Queen.  "I 
won't fail you, Queen Beryl."  With that, he faded out of the throne room.

There was much to be done.

***

Far off, in another corner of the Negaverse, a woman's sobbing filled the 
air, interrupted only by the frequent bolts of brilliant lightning that 
briefly illuminated Malachite's palace.  Inside the dark citadel, the source 
of the crying - a woman, dressed in the field-grey uniform of a Negaverse 
general, sobbing into the shoulder of a man in similar attire.  "Oh 
Malachite."  Zoycite sniffed "I was so sure that I was finally going to get 
my chance, and now that miserable Kyanite has gone and stolen it!  First 
Jedite, then Neflyte, and now him!"  She paused to resume her blubbering.  "I 
despise him so much, Malachite.  What do I do?" she wailed, looking into her 
lover's eyes, hoping to find there an answer to her problems.

Malachite's eyes met hers, and he smiled.  Despite all the evil in the 
Negaverse, these two had found something truly beautiful.  The male general 
cupped Zoycite's chin in his hand and kissed her.  "Don't worry, my love." he 
reassured her in an almost fatherly tone,  "It's only a matter of time before 
he makes a mistake, and then either the Sailor Scouts or Queen Beryl will 
dispose of him."

At the thought of Kyanite's untimely demise, Zoycite cheered up, her green 
eyes bright with determination and ambition.  Taking his hand in hers, she 
rested her head on his shoulder.  "And once we find the Imperium Silver 
Crystal, the Negaforce can take over!  Oh Malachite, it's going to be 
wonderful!  All our dreams will come true!"

Zoycite sighed, and smiled to herself.  Even now her fiendish mind was 
concocting plans to bring down her rival.  'Enjoy the spotlight while you 
still can, Kyanite.' she thought.  'You're going to have a very short 
career.'

Outside, the storm increased its ferocity.

***  

The air in Kyanite's room shimmered, and the general materialised into it.  
Kyanite's quarters were less furnished than those of the other Negaverse 
generals.  His private area was decorated with only the bare essentials - a 
chest of drawers, a bed, and a writing table.  These objects served as 
testament to the owner's beliefs that personal ability and power, not 
trappings and superfluous knick-knacks, were the keys to ultimate victory.  
He had professed as much to the other generals, criticising Neflyte for his 
material indulgences.  The other general had argued that what one surrounded 
himself (or herself, Zoycite interrupted) with was irrelevant, as long as 
they got the job done.  Kyanite could not help but sneer as he remembered 
Neflyte's remark.  "Did your Ferrari come to save you from Zoycite's youma, 
Neflyte?" he asked, admiring the reflection he cast in his mirror.  Although 
less handsome than the other Negaverse generals, Kyanite still considered 
himself good-looking.  He turned this way and that, appreciating the way the 
field-grey uniform settled on his frame.  There was no mistaking it - he was 
a true general of the Negaverse.  However, it wasn't until times like this 
that he realised how different he was from the other generals.  Unlike them, 
his hair was jet black and his skin was darker than the other generals, 
evidence of the short amount of time he had spent in the perpetual darkness 
of the Negaverse.  The feature that most set him apart from the others was 
his eyes.  The  brown pupils that stared back at him lacked any of the 
unfeeling cold that Jedite, Neflyte, Zoycite and Malachite had.  Instead, 
they were warm, caring, and perhaps even... loving? 

Kyanite felt a twinge of emotion deep within him, something he had not 
experienced for many years.  He looked down at a small picture in a frame on 
his table and picked it up.  There were two people in the picture; one was 
Kyanite, the other, someone from his past.  He gazed at the other figure, a 
teenage female, shorter than Kyanite, with short light brown hair and 
glistening hazel eyes.  A hint of a smile touched the edges of his mouth as 
he remembered when this was taken.  It had been a long time ago, several 
years before Kyanite had forfeited his humanity to join the legions of the 
Negaverse.  He felt a slight wetness on his cheek, which was enough to bring 
him back to reality.  Shaking his head to clear the haze, the placed the 
photograph face-down on the table.  "No." he said flatly.  "Never again."  
This was no time to remember long-lost friends.  Preparations for the mission 
ahead did not allow him to reminisce, and Queen Beryl was not renowned for 
her patience.  'Some things are better left in the past.'

end of Chapter 1

***
Chapter 2

Serena and Raye were at it again.

"Oooooh!  You take that back, Raye!"
"Make me!  And did I mention that your face looks even uglier than usual when 
you're angry?"
"UGLY???  If I'm that ugly, why are so many guys in love with me?"
"Oh, like WHO?"
"Tuxedo Mask."
"Why would someone like Tuxedo Mask ever be interested in a lazy, klutzy 
couch potato like you?
"Oh yeah?  Well what about Andrew?"
"Andrew???  You've gotta be joking.  
"Andrew does too like me!  He's always giving me free games at the arcade."
"Ha!  I bet he only gives you free games because it gives him some peace and 
quiet from your annoying voice!!'  
"That's not true!!  You're just jealous because I'm far more beautiful, 
graceful, charming..."
"...clumsy, loudmouthed, obnoxious and stubborn than anyone could EVER be!!"

Amy had had enough.  A long day at school, combined with losing a computer 
project she had been working on had taken its toll on her.    She had gone 
shopping with Serena and Raye as a means of forgetting about it all, and the 
last thing she needed was to have to put up with them having one of their 
all-to-familiar cat fights.  She wasn't one to lose her temper, but the world 
had almost pushed her too far this time.  Counting to ten in her head, she 
regained her composure.  "If all you two are going to do is fight, then I'm 
going shopping by myself.  If you can't be nice to each other, don't say 
anything."  Raye glared at Serena and with a snort, turned her head away.  
Serena, not to be outdone, did the same.

A few minutes later found them in a fashionable clothing store in the 
Akihabara district.  Amy and Raye looked over several pairs of shoes, trying 
to decide between the multitude of styles, while Serena sorted through 
dresses on a rack.  Having found one she thought suited her perfectly, Serena 
rushed over to the other two for a second opinion.  "Well guys, what do you 
think?"  Serena said, proudly showing them her choice: a pink summer dress 
decorated with a single white bow at the waist.  Amy nodded with approval, 
but Raye smirked as she examined the garment.  "The size is only in single 
figures, Serena.  Are you sure it'll fit?"
Serena scowled back.  "There aren't enough numbers on the planet to make a 
dress that would fit YOU, Raye!"

Amy was about to break them up again, but before she could speak, the 
communicator in her handbag bleeped a shrill tune, matched by those belonging 
to Raye and Serena.  The other two were cut off in mid-argument, and found an 
empty changing room to answer the call.  Amy stayed a moment and said a 
silent thanks to whoever it was who had interrupted them, then ran to join 
them.

***

Half the globe away, the biggest celebration of the year for Paris' Tarascon 
Lysee was in full swing.  The ball, this year at one of the city's many 
convention centres was something that all pupils, both junior and senior 
looked forward to.  A mass of tables, at which were seated the various party-
goers, were arranged around a wooden dance floor.  Despite the number of 
people sitting down, the dance floor was full of people moving their bodies 
in rhythmic synch to the thrumming musical beat.  The mirror ball above 
reflected the many lights also situated overhead, sending a myriad of colours 
in all directions.  Occasionally, someone would look shyly across the room at 
another who had caught their eye, in the hope that they would ask them to 
join the crowd already dancing.

One among them, however, had other reasons for being there that were far from 
romantic.  Disguised in a sleek black tuxedo and blue cummerbund, Kyanite 
looked over the crowd with a predatory gleam.  'This crowd is nearly at their 
peak of energy potential.' he thought to himself, barely disguising a 
malicious grin playing across his features.  He sent a telepathic order to 
the DJ, one of his youma in disguise, and walked toward the stage on which 
the creature sat.
"Ok, all you guys and gals, it's time for a slow romantic ballad for all 
those couples out there.  So find that special someone and enjoy the sweet 
melodies of love."
'Pathetic mindless drivel.' Kyanite thought to himself.  'No matter.  They 
won't be feeling so romantic once I've finished with them.'  He bided his 
time, waiting until the dance floor was completely packed with slow-moving 
couples, then shimmered out of his disguise.  He thrust out his gloved hand 
palm up, and almost immediately, ghostly waves of energy rose from the party-
goers and coalesced into a glowing ball of pulsing light suspended above it.

The effects showed instantly.  A few that approached Kyanite, curious as to 
what he was doing fell before they reached him.  Many on the floor had 
already collapsed, and those that hadn't were showing signs of serious 
fatigue.  Moments later, those at the tables joined them, exhausted and 
drained.  Eventually, the only sound left was the slow musical number from 
the DJ, and another mental command from Kyanite had the room deathly silent, 
except for the quiet chuckling coming from the Negaverse general.  "Thank 
you, Maestro.  You may go."  Kyanite dismissed his youma servant and watched 
as he disappeared.  Casting one last look at the sea of comatose people 
before him, he smiled triumphantly as he dematerialised with their collected 
energy, the expression lingering for a fraction of a second longer before it 
followed. 

***

Raye, Amy and Serena were just settling down to a long overdue Sailor Scout 
gathering at the Cherry Hill Temple.  

"Awwww, why do we have to have a meeting now?  I was just starting to enjoy 
myself. Anyway, the Negaverse hasn't done anything for ages."  Serena whined.  
The Sailor Scouts hadn't had a meeting since Neflyte died, and nothing 
suspicious had happened for weeks now.  "I mean, no massive new sales have 
opened in any stores; no-one new has appeared that we should be keeping our 
eyes on, there's been nothing!"
"And that's exactly why we're having this meeting, Serena."  Luna replied.  
"The Negaverse has been too quiet lately.  I'm sure they're planning 
something big."
"Even so, I haven't detected any Negaverse movements for a while." Amy said, 
looking up from the glowing display of her pocket computer.  "This new 
computer program I wrote to track them hasn't found anything."
"See guys?  Nothing to worry about!" giggled Serena with a shrug.  "I bet 
we've given the Negaverse the right message: Don't mess with the Sailor 
Scouts, especially Sailor Moon!"  She jumped to her feet and struck a 
fighting pose.  The others were far from impressed, especially Raye.  "Oh 
please Serena, you're gonna make me gag.  But for once, she does make some 
sense.  We can't do anything more than watch and wait until they make a 
move."  Luna reluctantly agreed.  Although there was no point in staying on 
guard even when the Negaverse was so quiet, she didn't want the Sailor Scouts 
to become complacent and lazy.  The Negaverse was still out there, and they 
could be gathering their forces for a major assault on the Earth.  "Well, it 
looks like it's decided then.  Amy, we'll be relying on you to look out for 
anything we can't see for ourselves.  Serena and Raye, keep a sharp eye out 
for anything out of the ordinary.  I want everyone to keep their 
communicators on them at all times, and to contact everyone at the slightest 
hint of danger."  Luna felt like a general looking over her troops, but it 
would be worth it if they could keep one step ahead of the Negaverse.  The 
other two nodded, but Serena was as dismissive as ever.  "Yeah, yeah, yeah, 
yeah, yeah.  Loosen up, Luna.  We'll keep them so scared, they wouldn't dare 
try anything!"  She grinned brightly.  "So guys, how about that shopping 
spree?  Hey guys, what do you say we go and visit Molly for a while to cheer 
her up, then go over to Flavour Factory for triple hot fudge sundaes?"

Luna sighed as the three discussed their plans for the rest of the afternoon.  
'If only I had your confidence, Serena.' she dreaded quietly to herself.  'I 
think the Negaverse is going to try something big, and I just hope you're all 
prepared for it when they do.'

***

Jedite was paralyzed with shock, a look of horror plastered on his bruised 
and cut face.  "But Queen Beryl, I have learned the identities of the Sailor 
Scouts!  I know who they are!"

Queen Beryl was unmoved by his plea.  She placed her long fingers around the 
curved surface of her dark crystal ball, her eyes glowing white.  "I will 
hear no excuses!  Sleep...FOREVER!!"  

Jedite begged her, but he knew as well as everyone else in the throne room 
that his fate was sealed.  A single blast from Beryl's crystal ball was 
enough to silence him, trapping him forever in a massive opaque crystal.

Kyanite shook his head to clear the vision, and his mind came back to his 
castle room in the dark Negaverse.  He was present at Jedite's execution, and 
the first general's fate still haunted him.  More than anything, he wanted to 
avoid it.  There was little chance of him meeting that same grisly demise, 
though.  Kyanite had already collected vast amounts of energy from cities in 
France alone, easily surpassing in a few days what Jedite and Neflyte had 
collected in their times as Queen Beryl's commanders.  However, this was not 
the time for self-congratulation.  Too many failures, and he could easily end 
up sharing Jedite's fate -- or worse.

"You know, daydreaming's a bad habit.  You really should try and stop it."  
Kyanite spun around to see Zoycite floating above him, sitting in mid-air.  
He never understood why she did that, considering such actions pedantic, and 
too showy for his liking.  He turned back, and rolled his eyes.  "What do you 
want, Zoycite?  If you've come here to annoy me, don't bother.  I'm far too 
busy to deal with the likes of you at the moment."
The female general folded her arms.  "I haven't come here to put you off, 
Kyanite.  Quite the opposite, actually.  I've realised that no-one's going to 
get anywhere if we keep fighting like this.  I've come to you asking for a 
truce between us, at least until this messy business with the Imperium Silver 
Crystal and the Sailor Scouts is sorted out.  So, what do you say?"
Kyanite knew she didn't mean it.  Her proposed 'truce' was as fake as she 
was.  It would only be a matter of time before she was breathing down his 
neck once more.  'Although, having Zoycite out of the way, at least for a 
little while would be a welcome relief' he mused.  He turned back to her, a 
dark look on his face.  "Alright Zoycite, you win.  I agree to your truce.  
You keep out of my way, and I'll keep out of yours.  Agreed?"
He could almost feel her smugness as something tangible.  "Agreed, Kyanite." 
she said with a smirk.  The petal-motes curled around her body, and she faded 
out of his quarters.  "Oh, by the way, Kyanite." she added, her disembodied 
voice filling the room.  "Good luck with your search for energy."

He waited until she was completely gone, then pulled up a chair at his desk 
and took out some paper.  He had to take advantage of this truce, false or 
not.  He kept his suspicions about Zoycite's intentions at the back of his 
mind as he began drawing up his next plan for Queen Beryl.

***

Zoycite sat in the grand throne room of Malachite's palace, looking through 
the window as the savage lightning storm raged outside.  Next to her, her 
lover caressed her reddish-blonde hair.  Although silent, Zoycite was deep in 
thought, a bolt of lightning occasionally causing the shadows to flee from 
her, but as soon as the light had gone, they quickly resumed their place.  
Even though he did care for her greatly, Zoycite's sinister visage caused 
Malachite to shiver involuntarily.  He finally managed to summon the courage 
to break the silence.  "Zoycite, you've hardly said anything since you came 
here.  What are you thinking?"

Zoycite paused, as if considering his question.  She turned slowly to face 
him, and smiled sweetly.  "I've made a truce with Kyanite.  We're both 
leaving each other alone until the Sailor Scout and Imperium Crystal business 
blows over."

Malachite was taken aback by this news.  Last time he'd seen her, Zoycite was 
cursing her rival for taking the position she coveted, and now she had made a 
truce with him?

Seeing the confusion in his eyes, Zoycite giggled and kissed him gently.  
"Malachite, don't be silly.  You know me better than that.  He knows as well 
as you do that I wouldn't make a truce with him unless I had every intention 
of breaking it."  Malachite still did not understand.  "But surely Zoycite, 
he will be expecting that?  When you break your promise to him, won't he be 
ready for it?"

Zoycite's green eyes lit up as brightly as the crashing lightning outside.  
"I'm counting on it, Malachite.  The more time he spends worrying about me, 
the less time he has to devise plan for collecting energy.  It'll make him 
slip up sometime, and I'm going to be there when he does." She held out her 
hand, and revealed a photo of two people - Kyanite, and a female.  "There's 
also this.  This is a copy of something I... "borrowed" from Kyanite's room.  
It seems he still has a few ties to his humanity that he hasn't told Beryl 
about.  I think I can use this to my advantage, don't you think?"  
Malachite was silent for a moment, considering her plan.  "Just make sure 
Beryl doesn't find out about it.  You know what she's like when her decisions 
are questioned.  You've already been warned once about it, she won't be so 
forgiving next time."
Zoycite remained unperturbed by his warning.  "Beryl won't suspect a thing.  
Anyway, if she finds out, I'll just tell her I was testing his loyalty to the 
Negaverse.  I'm sure she won't mind." she grinned maliciously as she resumed 
staring at the storm outside, her mind already visualising Kyanite's demise.  
Malachite fell silent, resuming stroking Zoycite's hair.  Although he hated 
Kyanite, he couldn't help but pity his fellow general.  'Pray to whatever 
dark gods you worship, Kyanite.' he thought as he gazed at Zoycite's 
determined visage.  'You're going to need all the help you can get.'

end of Chapter 2

***